Syracuse.com - CNY Boat Show at the state fairgrounds has much to offer boating enthusiasts

[HuntingNY-News]

“Fifty boat dealers at one place, just try to go out and visit all these dealers apart from this show. Here, you can see them all in one day,” said Drew Wickham, the boat show’s manager. The show is sponsored by the Central New York Boating Industry Association. I'll be at the show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Stop by and say hello.

The Central New York Boat Show kicked off Wednesday afternoon at the state fairgrounds in Geddes.

This year’s show will be in three buildings and features 80 different exhibitors — more than 50 of them boat dealers from Central New York and across the state.

“Fifty boat dealers at one place, just try to go out and visit all these dealers apart from this show. Here, you can see them all in one day,” said Drew Wickham, the boat show’s manager. The show is sponsored by the Central New York Boating Industry Association.

The following are good reasons, he said, to check out this year’s event which continues until Sunday afternoon.

Deals and more deals: Before the economic downturn hit, Wickham said, boat manufacturers took a hit and cut back on manufacturing. Nowadays, he said, the supply of boats is not what it used to be.

“Look at the manufacturer’s view. It takes so many days to build a boat. If they know you’re going to buy one in February, it gives them more time to build, to plan how many they’re going to build. It’s advantageous to them,” he said. “As a result, the dealers get incentives from manufacturers to sell boats at shows like this.”

Wickham noted there will be a number manufacturer representatives working in the dealer booths “and they usually can offer a wealth of information.”

He said waiting until summer to buy a boat in a dealer’s lot has its drawbacks.

“It’s a good idea to buy early,” he said. “Otherwise, the dealer will only have what’s left.”

A chance to check out some “big” boats:“ This year’s show offers a good offering of large cruiser boats in the 30- to 40-foot range,” Wickham said.

“These are boats you can sleep in, dine in, stay out in the water for a week in,” he said. “Some of these boats cost over $250,000.”

One tip for checking them out. Wear good socks. The dealers generally make you take your shoes off when stepping aboard.

A wide variety of craft: Wickham said the show will offer a wide variety of runabouts, personal water craft, kayaks and canoes — including one dealer who offers “build your own” Adirondack guide boats kits.

A wide assortment of pontoon boats:“The baby boomer generation in particular is looking for boats that they can kick back and relax in,” he said. “We have some magnificent pontoon boats out there. They even have one up on turntable (in the Exhibit Center) that’s actually spinning.”

The latest in sailboats and sailing equipment: Among this year’s offerings at the show is a Com-pac 23 Pilothouse sailboat, which Sail Magazine chose as the best in 2012 in regard to interior accommodations, Wickham said.

“This is not a day boat,” he added. “It’ll be in the Center of Progress Building. Anyone into sailing should stop by and check it out.”

An opportunity to bone up boating safety, equipment regulations and boating-related laws: Representatives from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Power Squadron, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the N.Y.S. Canal Corporation will offer advice and handouts concerning all aspects of boater safety and navigation law. In-water, life jacket demonstrations are scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Horticulture Building.

The latest in docks, boating equipment and nautical supplies:“ There’s at least a dozen dealers with dock exhibits. You’ll be able to see absolutely everything in regard to docks and hoists,” Wickham said. “As for other nautical supplies, if you need it, it’s here. Even if you didn’t need it, it’s here, too.”

If you go

Central New York Boat Show

When: 1 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Admission is $10 and children 13 and under free. Coupons that take $2 off admission are available at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Where: The show is being held in three separate buildings (Horticulture, Exhibit and Center of Progress).

See you there: Outdoors Editor David Figura will be at the show to meet with readers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Exhibit Center (formerly the Toyota Building).

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog